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As Halloween approaches, the excitement builds among young learners for costumes, candies, and spooky Halloween books! While the holiday is synonymous with fun and scares, it also presents an excellent opportunity to explore social emotional themes with your little ones. We’ve put together a delightful collection of Halloween books that not only capture the spirit of the season but also touch on valuable life lessons about emotions, empathy, and friendship. So gather your students around, dim the lights, and let’s embark on a heartwarming Halloween journey!
Halloween Books with SEL Themes
“Ghosts in the House!” by Kazuno Kohara
In this charming tale, a young witch moves into a new home that’s haunted by friendly ghosts. Together, they clean up the house, turning the ghosts into perfectly lovely bed sheets, curtains, and tablecloths. This book teaches kids that appearances can be deceiving, and even spooky things can become friends.
“The Hallo-Wiener” by Dav Pilkey
Oscar, the dachshund, faces ridicule from other dogs because of his hot dog costume. But when danger looms on Halloween night, Oscar must summon the courage to save the day. This Halloween book emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and embracing individuality.
“Room on the Broom” by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
Follow the adventures of a friendly witch and her cat as they welcome new friends onto their broomstick. As they encounter challenges and work together to overcome them, this story celebrates cooperation, inclusion, and the power of friendship. There’s also a really cute video version if you’re looking for a connection, or a fun party activity.
“The Monster Who Lost His Mean” by Tiffany Strelitz Haber and Kirstie Edmunds
Meet a monster named Moody who is expected to be mean, but he just can’t seem to scare anyone. Feeling down, he embarks on a journey to find his “mean,” but along the way, he discovers the true value of kindness and empathy. This Halloween book beautifully illustrates the importance of understanding and managing one’s emotions.
“Big Pumpkin” by Erica Silverman
This classic story centers around a witch who tries to pull a massive pumpkin off the vine, but it’s too big for her to handle. As other Halloween creatures come to her aid, they learn to work together despite their differences. The book touches on themes of cooperation and embracing diversity.
“The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything” by Linda Williams
Follow the brave little old lady on her eerie Halloween night encounter with a pair of shoes, pants, a shirt, gloves, and a pumpkin head that follow her everywhere. With clever strategies and a brave heart, she discovers the power of facing fears head-on and overcoming them. While this is one of those classic Halloween books many elementary teachers have on their shelves, this year you can use it to touch on SEL themes, too.
“Leo: A Ghost Story” by Mac Barnett
Leo is a friendly ghost who lives peacefully in his house until a family moves in and believes the home is haunted. With a humorous twist, this Halloween book explores themes of inclusion, understanding, and the essence of true friendship.
“The Spooky Wheels on the Bus” by J. Elizabeth Mills
A Halloween twist on the classic “Wheels on the Bus” song, this book follows the spooky bus and its passengers as they have a monstrously good time. While filled with Halloween fun, the book also subtly touches on social interactions and facial expressions attached to each emotion.
As you delve into these Halloween books with your students, take the opportunity to engage them in discussions about the characters’ emotions, choices, and the lessons they learn. Encourage empathy, understanding, and self-reflection, and let the magic of storytelling and the spirit of Halloween inspire meaningful connections in your classroom. Happy Halloween and happy reading!
